I
was on my leave on 14 September. I stopped by at the kindergarten where I
taught from 2005-2011. I was on leave, I didn't go traveling, I just happened
around the neighborhood.. so why not dropping by to see some old friends there.

What
is it like to teach again in school after five years of absence? Oh, it's one
hell of an experience. It was like going to school for the first time. I was
excited, nervous, hillarious, confuse, stage fever.. haha.. all the stories can
be read in Back to School (28 September 2016) and A Teacher's Happiness (10 October 2016).

So
in this post I want to share you my third times teaching. There were things
happened on this Tuesday, 4 October that made me realized, if I were a machine,
there are few things in me that got rusty following my five years of absence as
school teacher.

* * * * *

Mm.. nak, nama kamu siapa deh?

Um.. kid, what's your name again?

Lupa! Gila bener dah ah.. gue kok bisa lupa
lagi nama anak-anak ini?

I
forgot! Darn.. how could I keep forgetting these kids' names?

Di TK A ada 17 anak. TK B ada 24.

There
are 17 kids in the class for the 4-5 years olds and 24 kids in the class for
the 5-6 year olds.

The
first or the second time.. well, it's understandable if I couldn't remember
their names. But it's my third times there.. and I still can't remember it..
man! By the way, why is it they seem to look a like? Hahaha..

The
kids in the class for the 5-6 year olds? Oh, don't ask me their names. I have
completely forgot their names.. lol.. yes, seriously. I got into their class
once I was done in the class for the 4-5 year olds and I couldn't remember any
of their names where a week ago I could remember at least ten names. I was
completely blank today.

Oh
man, what should I do? I nervously thought to myself. It's because I have
started a habit to greet them personally by calling each kid's name. It's to
train them to listen and respond greetings or question in English. So for
example, I approach a boy named Ferry and greet him "Good morning,
Ferry" and he answers me "Good morning, teacher" or I approach a girl named Stephany and ask "How are you, Phanny?" and the kid
answers "I'm fine, teacher, thank you"

They
like to be greeted and asked like that. Especially because I did that as I
sang. I loved to see their faces looking at me excitedly and also curious to
know when would I come to them and greet or ask them.

As
I spoke those words I peeked her pencil case because each kid has his/her name
written on his/her pencil case. The problem was solved and the whole class was
happy because I didn't just approached, greeted and called by their names, I
also addressed them 'cutie, pretty, handsome'.

"Now,
don't cry, Reta" I soothed her gently while my mind moved fast. I would
have to take this kid to the restroom but it means leaving the class without
any supervision from other teacher. Teteh has left too. Oh man, what should I do?

Without
waiting for any reply I took Reta's hand, guided her out of the class. I had to
be quick but I couldn't show her my urgeness. She was restless. Yes, she wanted
to pee but there was something else that made her anxious. I had no idea what
it was but one thing for sure I didn't want to make her more anxious. So I
acted and talked calmly to her.

I
held her hand, I helped her got up to the watercloset, I waited next to her
while she peed, I washed her and I kept talking gently to her during the whole
thing though she didn't said a word. Well, at least it calmed her and she
stopped crying.

"You
have left your post as school teacher for five years and God put you back in
school. You have always had that faith that you would be back to that post. I
have seen your stubborn faith. You have never let it go though your
applications to schools were with no avail"

Maybe (Enrique)

I Won't Give Up (Jason Mraz ft. Daryl Hall)

Say Something (Christina Aguilera)

One Call Away (Charlie Puth)

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Who is Keke?

I am a person whose life is full of surprises. Have a degree in banking management but after spending about 11 years moving from one office job to another, I ended up teaching in kindergarten from 2005 to 2011. Due to some reason I had to resign from that kindergarten as I have got myself.. yep, another office job. Something that I never thought I would do again for a living. Writing in this blog continues though. I just want you to know what is this former kindergarten teacher does & thinks after she resigned from her teaching post. I like my present job but I know I am a teacher. One day I will teach in school again.